OK FELLAS, I AM IN A SMALL DELEMA! WHEN I STARTED ON MY 71 IT HAD ALOT OF PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE FRT AND RIGHT 1/4 POST, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE RUST, IT ALSO HAD A 460 IN IT INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL 351. SO I WASNT TO SET ON KEEPING IT ORIGINAL. NOW AS THINGS START TO TAKE SHAPE ITS COMING TOGETHER BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD, AND IT APPEARS THAT THE VALUES OF OUR CARS ARE GOING UP ALITTLE. SO MY DELEMA IS, SHOULD I STAY MORE TOWARDS THE ORIGINAL COLOR AND INTERIOR, AND KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR THE 351 OR NOT BE TO CONCERNED ABOUT THE ORIGINAL THEME.
IM STILL ALONG WAY FROM THE FINAL CHOICE BUT IT BUGS ME, DONT EXPECT TO PAINT TILL MAYBE NEXT WINTER, BUT WILL SOON NEED TO MAKE SOME CHOICES.

PAPPY HAROLD;17494 Wrote:OK FELLAS, I AM IN A SMALL DELEMA! WHEN I STARTED ON MY 71 IT HAD ALOT OF PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE FRT AND RIGHT 1/4 POST, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE RUST, IT ALSO HAD A 460 IN IT INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL 351. SO I WASNT TO SET ON KEEPING IT ORIGINAL. NOW AS THINGS START TO TAKE SHAPE ITS COMING TOGETHER BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD, AND IT APPEARS THAT THE VALUES OF OUR CARS ARE GOING UP ALITTLE. SO MY DELEMA IS, SHOULD I STAY MORE TOWARDS THE ORIGINAL COLOR AND INTERIOR, AND KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR THE 351 OR NOT BE TO CONCERNED ABOUT THE ORIGINAL THEME.
IM STILL ALONG WAY FROM THE FINAL CHOICE BUT IT BUGS ME, DONT EXPECT TO PAINT TILL MAYBE NEXT WINTER, BUT WILL SOON NEED TO MAKE SOME CHOICES.

Well for me I did not build the car to sell, I will keep it hopefully forever. So I built what I wanted not what I should have or what was exactly correct. In the end its yours.

Hey Pappy!!! how are you!??... Roy is right... it depends on what you are planning to do in the future with the car, but i understand what you mean... one thing is build a car for sale but the reality sometimes force us to sell it someday and if the car is enjoiable as it supposed to be, then why modify?

I´m not a modifier and i dont believe mustangs are race cars.. they are fun to drive but for me, the difference between a super big engine and a big but original one is not always more fun... I also like the feeling of an old "soft" car, that´s why for example, i preffer the factory stock set up in suspension as a performance one...

For me, a original car is not only more valuable but it is also more fun... i like to feel i´m riding a classic car, not a modern car with old looks....

I don't know...once your numbers don't match, it will never match so I tend to agree with the others. Build it the way you want it! If it were a historical or special car then I'd try to keep original but both of ours are not 100% original.

Pappy,x2 on what Roy said. My car is set up for more racing with some street use. I have kept all the original parts boxed up. The car is going to my grandson when he turns 18. At that time I will put it back stock,but for now I will enjoy what I am doing with it. In the long run it is up to you.
Jim

Pappy, based on your stated sentiments I would recommend a combination of a couple of things that have been said in this thread.

If you like the original color, I would paint it that color as paint (when done correctly) can take a LOT of time and money. As to the drive train, it has been my experience that swapping out engines, transmissions and rear ends (while potentially expensive) does not necessarily take a lot of time. This is especially true if you have already gathered the "original" or "like original" parts.

The "BEAUTY" of modifying is you can make the car EXACTLY the way you want it now, utilizing new technologies in combination with old technologies if that is your wish. If you want a "Racer", you can do it; if you want a "Street Terror", you can do that; if you want a cruiser, you can do that; etc., etc.

In short, if you are even thinking about using the car as an investment, I would "plan" for that when making any changes. Over the years, I have gathered extra Clevelands Blocks, Heads and the like in the event I decided to pull out the big blocks...again just hedging my bets.

If you like the original color combination Go with that. If you don't, change it to another combination that was available for your car. As far as protecting your financial investment goes, the 351 would get the nod. Especially if the car was originally a 351C 4V car. With properly matched components, a 351 can satisfy most peoples need for speed. If you just love the idea of having a big block, run it. My opinion is biased towards cars that are stock appearing but are fast. It's probably connected to the youthful experience of earning some money on the street. Really think about what you want the car to do and the relative importance of minimizing financial loss should you sell the car. In the end it is your car. Build it the way you really want to. The only person you need to please is you. JMO

PAPPY HAROLD;17494 Wrote:OK FELLAS, I AM IN A SMALL DELEMA! WHEN I STARTED ON MY 71 IT HAD ALOT OF PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE FRT AND RIGHT 1/4 POST, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE RUST, IT ALSO HAD A 460 IN IT INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL 351. SO I WASNT TO SET ON KEEPING IT ORIGINAL. NOW AS THINGS START TO TAKE SHAPE ITS COMING TOGETHER BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD, AND IT APPEARS THAT THE VALUES OF OUR CARS ARE GOING UP ALITTLE. SO MY DELEMA IS, SHOULD I STAY MORE TOWARDS THE ORIGINAL COLOR AND INTERIOR, AND KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR THE 351 OR NOT BE TO CONCERNED ABOUT THE ORIGINAL THEME.
IM STILL ALONG WAY FROM THE FINAL CHOICE BUT IT BUGS ME, DONT EXPECT TO PAINT TILL MAYBE NEXT WINTER, BUT WILL SOON NEED TO MAKE SOME CHOICES.

Well for me I did not build the car to sell, I will keep it hopefully forever. So I built what I wanted not what I should have or what was exactly correct. In the end its yours.

+1 Pappy !It is yours do what YOU like.If we were in this for the profit,we are not very smart peaple !